540 B.C
A few days ago, I left Govinda in the Jetavana Grove, where he decided to stay with the Illustrious Buddah, Gotama. Not only did Govinda learn life lessons from the Buddah while he was speaking, but so did I. He taught me that in order to conquer my Self, I must become my own teacher.
After thinking long and hard, I began to question, what was it that my past teachers could not teach me? Then I realized, it was my Self, the character and nature of which I wished to learn.
As I began to walk, I looked around as if seeing the world for the first time. I saw the beautiful blue skies and the yellow and green river. I sat and again, I began to question, who exactly I am. I am no longer a Samana and no longer a Brahmin. Now I am only Siddhartha; Not Siddhartha the folower of Gotama, not Siddharhta a Brahmin or Samana, just Siddhartha.
As I began to walk, I looked around as if seeing the world for the first time. I saw the beautiful blue skies and the yellow and green river. I sat and again, I began to question, who exactly I am. I am no longer a Samana and no longer a Brahmin. Now I am only Siddhartha; Not Siddhartha the folower of Gotama, not Siddharhta a Brahmin or Samana, just Siddhartha.
Great translation on how he felt after leaving Govinda. Very factual and descriptive. I like the last paragraph, it makes him seem like a blind man seeing for the first time.
ReplyDelete-Cynthia C
This Journal is very descriptive and has a lot of good facts. Good job!
ReplyDelete-Laura
I wonder why Siddhartha did not tell Govinda that he realized he would not reach enlightenment from listening to the words of the Buddha. Why didn't he tell his friend that they would not find what they were looking for by just listening and not living?
ReplyDeletediana m
This has very good detail in how Siddhartha is just realizing that he has to make something of himself. It expresses how he learns that he needs to work on what he wants to learn and finally find himself.
ReplyDelete-Reva
Does Siddhartha feel really good about Govinda leaving him to spend his entire life with Gotama? Is Govinda seeking enlightment from the Buddha? I think that good that Siddhartha is wondering about what he couldn't learn from the people who tried to teach him.
ReplyDelete-Ayaka Takemura